Circuit-breaker.



P. H. THOMAS.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1910.

1 88,576 1 Patented June 27, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES."

P. H. THOMAS.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED IULY1. 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented June 27, 1916.

WITNESSES: I l/VVE/VTOR ED sT PATENT on PERCY H. THOMAS, 0 MONTQLAIR, NEW JEnsEm AssIGNoR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, To COOPER HEWITT ELECTRIC CoMPANY; ,0F (HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Original application filed- January 13,1905, Serial No. 240,866. Divided andthis application filed July Specification of Letters Patent."

CIRCUIT-BREAKER. a,

Patented June 27, 1916 1910. Serial no. 569,870. 1

apparatus and the reactance device and then causing a quick rupture of the shunt circuit by means of a quick break switch. A form nick-break switch which is often used in t is connection is one in which the contacts are made and broken under oil. Ihe rupture of the circuit may take place either automatically through the action of the re- 1 actance device itself when the main circuit is closed, or through the action of some sup-v plemental or auxiliary electro-magnetic apparatus designed to accomplish the rupture. It is also common to operate the snap switch by hand.

In the present invention I provide, a substitute for the quick-break switch of the ordinary types, the said substitute being particularly adapted to cause an impulse .of high potential to be impressed upon the circuit containing the mercury vapor device. It will "be-"understood, however, that the present invention is not necessarily confined' tn such a use. It will be convenient, howevento describe the invention. as applied in the manner indicated in the foregoing paragraph.

For convenience, I show in the present invention a mercury vapor apparatus having a. positive electrode and a solid negative electrode. I have found by'experiment that a solid negative electrode will not continue to carry current .below a certain minimum limit, which limit is considerably higher than the limit at which negative" electrode would act as .a "c rsei'it carrier. That is to say, when a separa ofthe eteetrodes takes place in an apparatus having a solid negative electrode, a positive rup -w ture of the circuit is much more certain and reliable than in the case where a liquid negative electrode is used. It will be noted that there will ordinarily be a certain variable period of duration of current flow in the vapor on the separation of the cathode and anode on account of the energy stored in the inductance, which is available in high voltage form to perform this function. In fact, it maybe said to be the strenuous effort of this" inductance to maintain this current flow under the adverse conditions of small current and solid cathode that furnishes the high potential kick. It should, perhaps, be said as a matter of information that on large current-there is no difliculty operating with a solid cathode for considerable periods of time, provided. the result does not impair the vacuum, although the latter condition has prevented any considerable developrnient of steady operation with solid cath- 0 es.

It is, of ,course, important that the rupture of the circuit in the apparatus designed to accomplish the purposes of the present inverition should be quick and clean, without danger of a following over after the separa tion' of the electrodes. Accordingly, a ci rcuit-breaker of this class containing a solld negative electrode is of distinct advantage in securing a quick and certain rupture of the circuit, resulting, in'the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in a quick and efficient reactance in the form of a high potential impulse imparted to the translating devices in the line.

Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing represent diagrams of types of circuits suited to illustrate the advantages connected with the embodiment of the circuit breaking device herein described, Fig. 1 showing a nonautomatic system and Fig. 2 an automatic system of circuits.

Referring to the firstdiagram, 1 and 2 "are, respectively, the positive and negative mains of a distribution system. The main circuit maybe closed by means of a switch, 3. Between the mains is arranged a mercury vapor apparatus, 4, having a positive shown. Between the reactance' device 7 and jio the mercury vapor apparatus 41 connect the mains 1 and 2 by a shunt C1IYC111t, 8,

which includes a circuit-rupturingwdevice [embodying the present invention. This de- 'vice consists of a container, 9, having a posi- .tive electrode, 10, of mercury, and a negative electrode, 11, of some solid material, such. as iron wire. I The said solid electrode '11,; is extended into the apparatus far enough to come into contact with the mer:

cury, 10, when the apparatus is out of oper ation. andthe main circuit open. The device 9 may be provided with trunnlons, one of which is shown at 12, on which the devlce may be turned for making or breaking contact between the electrodes, 10 and 11. By tilting the upper end of the device to the left, as shown in the diagram, the mercury will recede from the solid negative electrode and a rupture of the circuit will take place within the device. When the switch 3. is originally closed the device 9 is assumed to. be in a position in which contact exists between the electrodes 10 and 11. the device 9 be tilted so as to break contact between the electrodes, it is found that when the solid element is made the 'negativeelectrode of the apparatus, the current will be cut ofi sharply at a certain comparatively high limit whereby the production of 'an impulse of high potential in the reactance 8 is rendered certain and absolute. Such high impulse being transmitted to the vapor apparatus 4 will break down the initial negative electrode resistance therein and start the apparatus into operation. v

Fig. 2 illustrates an automatic system of accomplishing the same results.v In this system. I provide the container 9 with a band,

13, of magnetic material, the said band being arranged in operative proximity to the core 14 of an electromagnet 15 located in a high resistance {shunt circuit 16 derived from the main circuit. The said circuit may be provided with a special resistance 17 to give it the necessarydegree of resistance, or the resistance mayre'side in the coilsof the magnet 15' itself.

The operation is clear-,Iwhen. it is understood that on the closure .ofgthemain switch 3, a part of the maincurrent passes through.- the inductance 7 and the circuit-breaking devices already described, while a small portion of the current passes through the magnet 15, such small portion being, however,

If now,

rise of potential 'comprisin -magnetic materialit may beprovided with an attachment 18 which is magnetic and which in combination with the core 14 would actto cause a tilting of the circuitbreaker, as will be readily understood.

It will be understood that the device forming the immediate subject of the present application may be usedin other combinations and for other purposes than those set forth herein.

It has been found convenient to describe and illustrate the circuit-breaker as a mercury vapor apparatus having a solid negative electrode and a liquid positive electrode. It will be understood, however, that the positive electrode may be either liquid or solid, as found desirable. Should the positive electrode be a liquid, and should mercury be the liquid employed, I prefer that the negat ve electrode should be made of a solid material not easily amalgamable with the mercury. Such a material might be iridium or some form of carbon, for example.

As indicated in the last paragraph, one object is to use for the two cooperating electrodes materials which do not cause any deterioration one of the other by reason of the use thereof in a circuit-breaker of this general character.

This application is a division of my application Serial Number 240,866, filed January 13th, 1905.

I claim as my invention:

, 1. A quick-break switch for producing a rise in potential comprising an evacuated vessel, and a liquid positive and a negative electrode therein, the negative electrode being of material in solid form.

2. A quick-break switch for producing a rise of potential comprising an evacuated vessel, and a liquid positive and a negative electrode therein, the negative electrode being of, solid material, thus tending to prevent free disintegration.

3. A quick-break switch for producing a an evacuated vessel, and a mercury positive and a negative electrode therein, the negative electrode being of material unable to amalgamate with mercury. l

4. A high potential kick switch, comprising an'exhauste'd container, a liquid anode therein, and means for establishing a current flow from said anode into the vapor space surrounding the anode and means for interrupting the current flow thus ,established, said means consisting of a cathode of solid material cooperating with said anode.

5. A high potential kick switch, comprising an exhausted container, a mercury anode therein, and means for establishing a Signed at New York in the county of New current flow from said anode into the vapor York and State of New York this 28th day space around said anode and means for inof June A. D. 1910.

terrupting the current flow thus established, I PERCY H. THOMAS. said means consisting of a cathode of non- Witnesses:

amalgamable material cooperating with -WM. H. CAPEL,

said anode. I GEORGE H. STOCKBRIDGE, Jr. 

